Vox Talks: Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard

Matt Price

Welcome back to another edition of Vox Talks; the series that peels back the curtain on the private DLF writer Voxer chat.

In last week’s edition, we discussed Kareem Hunt who went on to have the best debut by a rookie running back in NFL history. This week the DLF writers discussed another rookie runner who had an impressive debut. Tarik Cohen didn’t set any records but he did put his stamp on a Chicago offense that lacks playmakers. It looks like Cohen could be a weapon the Bears use more than we originally may have thought in 2017. Cohen ran the ball five times for 66 yards and caught eight of twelve targets for 47 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against Atlanta. Mike Glennon targeted him on 30% of his attempts with Zach Miller coming in at only 15% and the highest targeted wide receiver coming in at just 10%.

There’s a lot to be excited about with Cohen and when the dynasty community is excited about a player there is usually an opportunity to sell for a profit. Is that the right move with Cohen? It certainly seems like, with the dearth of talent in the receiving group, there is a real chance he is heavily involved each and every week. My main concern with Cohen has never been the talent. It’s always been his size and durability concerns that come along with being 5’6 and 179 pounds playing in the land of 300-pounders. I’m not as concerned about the timeshare as others are. Most teams have some kind of committee approach to the position these days with very few “bell cow” backfields left in existence.

This week I posed the question, “Are you buying or selling Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen and what would you buy or sell for? As always, the DLF writers are attacking this situation in different ways. Some are buying, some are selling. Let’s find out what the responders had to say.

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Nathan Powell

Selling both. I’d want a mid first for Jordan Howard, early second for Cohen. They will eat into each other’s production and neither is talented enough to vault into the rare “workhorse” 20+ carry/touch type of player.

Brian Malone

I’d take any 2018 second for Cohen, a mid-first for Howard. Howard is a hold, as I doubt he’ll fetch that price, and his workload was fine in week one. I’ll take the quick profit on Cohen rather than hope for double-digit targets on the regular.

Zach Bahner

I wouldn’t sell either Cohen or Howard right now, and I wouldn’t be buying either. I think it’s going to be difficult for an owner to get anything close to pre-Sunday market value on Howard, and a non-believer should be able to get better value after he has a few games with better performances. Cohen is probably already owned by the person in your league who values him most already, so you would have to overpay for him. I’d be happy to have either on my rosters at this point and think they could be Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman-light for at least the short term.

Don’t bail on either if you have them, and don’t sell them unless someone is really going to open up the wallet. I wouldn’t sell either for less than multiple firsts, but that isn’t because I believe they are actually worth this much. I just don’t believe in predicting where a future pick might lie and wouldn’t give them up for less than a mid first. I would buy Howard for a first and Cohen for a second, but only if I felt my overall roster had the potential to finish the season as champion.

Dan Sainio

Buying Cohen, holding/selling Howard. If owners are still valuing Howard at his mid-second (startup) ADP, I’d happily sell for that valuation as I would have any time during the off-season. He is overvalued for a two down back. Cohen reminds me of 2016 Tyreek Hill. He can take it to the house on any play and can be lined up in any role. In the end, they likely compliment one another but Howard’s price is just too high. I’d be buying Cohen for a late second, and selling Howard for any 2018 mid first.

Tom Kislingbury

I’m buying Jordan Howard. He’s hugely talented as a pure runner compared to the players we think are better (Melvin Gordon etc) and I was encouraged by his five targets at the weekend. I’d pay a second for him in a heartbeat. Would only sell for a mid first. As for Cohen, it was a great debut but it was only one game. I’m unlikely to meet the price of most owners who suddenly think he’s Gale Sayers but would pay a 2nd for him. If I owned any shares I’d hold for now unless I got a crazy offer (round one-plus).

Ryan Finley

I’m buying Howard and selling Cohen. This situation seems like the two-back timeshare we see across the league. In those share situations, I almost always want the primary back. For example, I’d much rather have Devonta Freeman than Tevin Coleman. I think that second back always ends up a bit overpriced as owners hope they somehow take over the job. The fact is it rarely happens, and regardless of Cohen’s tempting, shifty talent, Howard fits the scheme the Bears will continue to run better. Cohen is also so, so small, I can’t imagine him ever being more than a complement to a bigger back.

Dan Meylor

Buying Cohen in PPR. Gladly give a high 2nd. Talent meets ideal opportunity. He’s Darren Sproles back when he was with the Saints. Five-six carries and six-plus targets per game equals a PPR monster in the making.

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matt price